Scott Pruitt's new EPA deputy could surpass boss in scrapping protections

If scandals oust Pruitt, Andrew Wheeler is an ex-coal industry lobbyist pledged to end the 'pure hell' of Obama regulations

If the extraordinary barrage of ethical scandals buffeting Scott Pruitt finally dislodges him as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a reassuringly familiar figure to Republicans will take over and probably continue much of Pruitt's controversial work to scale back environmental protections.

Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, was confirmed as the EPA's second-in-command by the Senate in April, in the face of complaints from Democrats that he will simply act as the same sort of industry mouthpiece as his boss, Pruitt.